Heat-actuated device for imparting oscillating motion



Aug. 24, 1954 HEAT-ACTUATED DEVICE FOR IMPARTING OSCILLATING MOTIONFiled Deo. 13, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet l 22 ffomer/ffzgensall,

BY a/W' J6; I fwm):

INVENTOR.

Aug. 24, 1954 H- H- 'NGERSOl-l- 2,687,005

HEAT-ACTUATED DEVICE FOR IMPARTING OSCILLATING MOTION Filed Deo. 13,1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. 2 ffomeHf erol BY l All@ Z4, 1954 H.H. INGERsoLL 2,637,005

HEAT-ACTUATED DEVICE FOR IMPARTING OSCILLATING MOTION Filed Dec. 13,1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

Patented Aug. 24, 1954 attrici HEAT-ACTUATED DEVICE FOR IMPARTINGOSCILLATIN G MOTION Homer H. Ingersoll, Kalamazoo, Mich., assigner toThe Meyercord Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois ApplicationDecember 13, 1950, Serial N o. 200,679

23 Claims.

This invention relates to a novel heat-actu- `ated device for effectingor imparting motion and more particularly toa novel bimetallic means forcausing oscillatory motion.

Various devices have been utilized heretofore for effecting movementofanimated advertising and display devices `or the like. For example,induction motors and solenoid devices `of varying types have beencommonly employed for such purposes. In general, however, such deviceshave been relatively expensive and have often required a `substantialdegree of skill or experience to insure their proper installationandimaintenance. Moreover, in other cases such devices have ineludedvarious circuitbreaking means which are subject to serious disadvantagessuch as excessive re hazard, interference with `radio reception,andnoisy operation.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a novel heat-actuated`device for effecting or imparting motion which is relatively simple inconstruction and inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel device of thecharacter described which is compact, easy to install and maintain,involves no lire hazard, and does not depend upon intermittentinterruption of an electrical circuit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel heat-actuateddevice including a thermostatic or bimetallic means which is adapted toproduce sustained oscillating motion for an indenite period of time.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novelheat-actuated device of the character described wherein the thermostaticeffect of a `bimetallic means and the momentum of a moving objectcooperate to produce a smooth continuous back and forth swingingmovement.

Another object of the invention is toprovide a novel device of thecharacter described which is especially adapted for use as a simple andinexpensive animating means for advertising displays and the like.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novelheat-actuated device of the character described which is adapted for usewith an ordinary electric light bulb as a source of heat.

Other objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent fromthe subsequent detailed description taken in connection with the faccompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is an elevational view of an assembled device embodying theprinciples of my invention and comprising the preferred form thereof;

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of a portion of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken alongl the line 3-3 of Fig.1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line t--l of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view `oi" a different embodiment of theinvention;

`Fig. 6 is a side view of the device as viewed from the right-handsideof Fig. 5;

Figs. 7 to 9 are elevational views showing slightly diiierent forms ofone of the elements of my device;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the invention;and

Fig. l1 is an elevational View of still another embodiment of myinvention.

Broadly speaking, the invention comprises an elongated reciprocablemember having one end fixed and its opposite end free :for back andforth swinging movement. A heat-responsive means, such as a bimetaillicelement, is associated with the member `along a portion of its lengthfor imparting swinging movement to the member. The invention alsocontemplates broadly the combination of such a swingable heat-actuatedmember with a xed heat source for actuating the heat-responsive meanswhereby to impart back and forth movement to the member away from andtoward the heat source, As will hereinafter appeanin the `preferred formof the invention, the elongated swinga-ble member is formed fromrelative iiexible material and the heat-responsive means has a normallycurved configuration.

Although the invention is described herein with particular reference toan animated advertising or display device, it will be understood thatthis is merely forthe purpose of illustration and that the invention isgenerally applicable to a Wide variety of uses such as in novelties,toys, safety or control devices, scientific instruments. and variousother applications where back and forth movement is desired. i

Referring rst to Figs. l to 4, the device illustrated therein comprisesa lamp socket Il of a Y conventional type havingan electric light bulbl2 inserted therein and provided with a connecting electric cord andattachment plug I3. As

3 will hereinafter appear, the electric light bulb I2 comprises a sourceof heat for actuating the thermo-responsive portion of the device.

Surrounding the enlarged portion of the bulb I2 is an adjustable holder,indicated generally at It, which comprises a pair of substantiallysemi-circular straps or bands I6 adapted to fit circumferentially aroundthe bulb I2- and connected together at one side of the bulb by means ofan outwardly extending and integral U-shaped portion Il. The bands I mayconveniently be formed from resilient material such as sp-ring metal orthe like, and the opposite ends thereof are provided with a pair ofextensions or ears I adapted to be drawn together in tightened relationon the bulb I2 by means of a thumb screw I9. Secured to the innerperiphery or surfaces of the straps I@ are pairs of spaced beadscomprising elongated round wires 2| which are welded or otherwisefastened in spaced relation adjacent the longitudinal edges of thestraps. Thus, it will be seen that the curvature of the bulb I2 engagesthe spaced wires 2| which provides a slight recess or socket for thecurvature of the bulb to enter whereby to permit easy adjustment in thenature of a swivel action of the holder Ill relative to the bulb I2.

Depending from the U-shaped portion Il of the holder Id is an arm orbracket 22 provided with A an upturned end portion 23. An elongatedmember or arm, indicated generally at 24 and comprising' the principaloperating element of the device, is disposed with its lower end seatedin the upturned portion 23 of the bracket 22 and secured in fixedposition therein by means of a rivet 25 or the like. The arm 24comprises a continuous length of relatively llexible material,preferably nat spring steel in order to provide the required ldegree ofresilience, and is formed with substantially straight upper and lowerend pornarrowed, as best seen in Fig. 2, in order to facili I."

tate flexing of the arm at this point. Secured adjacent the extremity ofthe upper end portion 26 of the arm 24 by means of an adjustable clip orfastener 29 is an object 33 which it is desired to animate or move in anoscillating manner.

For purposes of illustration, the object 30 is here shown merely as acircular disk which may comprise part of an animated advertisingdisplay, but it will be understood that any suitable figure, replica,indicator or the like may be employed. The fastener 29 includes a screw3i Which extends through a slotted portion 32 at the upper end of theann 24 to :permit longitudinal adjustment of the object 3l! thereon.

Extending along the inside face of the curved portion 23 of the arm 24is a normally curved bimetallic strip 33 which also conforms generallyto the curvature of the bulb I2 and is secured to the arm 24 in slightlyspaced relation from the curved portion 28 thereof by means of a pair ofattaching clips 34. The clips or fasteners 33 surround the arm 24 andthe opposite ends of the bimetallic strip 33 and are secured in place bymeans of a pair of rivets 35 or the like. The bimetallic strip 33 is ofthe conventional construction Well known in the art, and I preferablyprovide the strip with a plurality of longitudinal slots 38 or-otherequivalent openings in order to permit more rapid heating and cooling ofthe bimetallic element. Also, the provision of the slots 38 weakens thestrip and facilitates flexing movement thereof. A stop member orresilient retainer is provided for coaction with the arm 24 andcomprises an upright length of spring material 3l fastened at its lowerend by the rivet 25 between the arms 22 and 23. As will hereinafterappear, the stop 3l together with the bulb I2 constitute limiting meansfor movement of the arm 24.

The operation of the device is as follows: First the operatingmechanism, as illustrated in Fig. 2, is positioned as desired on thebulb I2 by adjustment and tightening of the thumb screw I9 in order tont the straps IE of the holder Ill securely on the bulb. By adjustingthe longitudinal position of the object 3G on the arm 22 and also bytilting the holding device I2 relative to the bulb I2 as required, thearm 24 is caused to assume the initial position shown in full lines inFig. l. It will be understood that with the arm 24 of the device in thisposition the center of gravity of the obj ect 30 is disposed beyondcenter and to the left with the result that the curved bimetallicelement 33 engages the curved surface of the bulb I2 whereby the arm 24is retained or supported in its extreme left-hand position as seen inFig. l. When the attachment cord and plug I3 are connected to a sourceof electricity, the bulb I2 is illuminated and heat is evolved whereuponthe curved bimetallic element 33 undergoes the Well known thermostaticor temperature responsive action. In response to heating by the bulb I2,the bimetallic element 33 flexes outwardly, i. e. expands or uncurls,with the result that the arm 24 carrying the object 33 is displaced orswung to the right whereby the center of gravity of the object S isshifted beyond center and to the right so that the arm 2li occupies theextreme right-hand position indicated in broken lines in Fig. l. In thisposition the bimetallic element 33 is disposed in spaced relation fromthe bulb I2 and is, therefore, cooled by the surrounding air. lTheprovision of the slots 31 in the bimetallic strip 33 facilitates rapidcooling. As the bimetallic element 33 cools, contraction or reverseflexing movement of the curved strip takes place so that the element 33resumes its initial curved position and the arm 24 carrying the object36 is swung back to its initial position.

An important feature of my invention resides in the manner in which mydevice utilizes the combined effects of thermostatic movement of theelement 33 and the kinetic energy or momentum of the object i to:produce the desired back and forth oscillating movement of the arm 24.Thus, as the bimetallic element 33 is heated When the arm 2li is in itsleft-hand position, the thermostatic effect causes the initial movementor displacement of the arm 24 to the right. However, as the arm 2d movesto the right the momentum of the object 33 Vcauses the arm 2li to swingto the right far beyond the point to which the flexing movement of thebimetallic strip 33 alone would have carried the arm. Similarly,

' upon movement of the arm 2li in the reverse direction, i. e. fromright to left, the reverse ilexing of the strip 33 upon cooling thereofmerely initiates the swinging movement to the left and the momentum ofthe object 38 carries the arm 22 well beyond the position which wouldcorrespond merely to the effect 0f the bimetallic element 33.

Accordingly, it will be seen that the oscillating back and forthmovement which is characteristic of my 'device is the result of thecombined effects of ``momentum `and the `thermostatic means whereby `theobject 3D is `swung back and forth in a' continuousmanner. `In order tofacilitate a smooth non-jerky operation or swinging movement ofathearm24,' I prefer` that `the armbe formed from a relatively resilientmaterial such as spring steel. In this manner, the bimetallic elementtslimparts orinitiatesthe back androrth swingingmovernent of thel deviceandthe exible supporting arm 2li then amphi-les or increases the extentof swinging movement to produce a pleasing mode of operation which isnot usually obtained with devices operating solely on a thermostaticprinciple. Although thematerial comprising the arm 24 ispreferablyresilient in order to facilitate combined thermostaticandkinetic energy eiects on the movement of the arm, still the arm 24must have suiiicient rigidity to hold the object 3d at `the 'desiredangles in both the extreme `left-hand land right-hand positions withoutexcessive bending.

It will be seen that as the bimetallic element 33 undergoesrepeatedheating, cooling, and reheating, the cycle of back and forthswinging movement of the armia `may be repeated indenitely as long asthe bulb I2 islighted. It will be understood that as the arm 24 swingsback and `forth, the bulb l2 and the member 3l constitute retainers orstops for limiting the extent of swinging or `oscillating movement. Bysliding the Object 30 upwardly or downwardly relative to the upperportion 25 of the arm, `the elevation of the center of gravity of theobject Sil may be varied whereby to control the rapidity or frequencyofthe back and forth movement of the arm.

In Figs. 5 and 6, I have illustrated a somewhat different embodiment ofthe invention wherein a special resistance heating element is employedas the source of heat rather than an ordinary electric light bulb. Thedevice comprises a base or mounting block 4I which may be of libre orother suitable non-conducting material. The base al may be secured `bymeans of a plurality of screws il?. toa wall or other upright membersuch asindicated at 233. Secured adjacentthe lower edge of the base` Mkis a bracket M having anupright member 46 `secured rigidly thereto andextending upwardly' therefrom. The upper portion of `themember 4S hasattached thereto a heatingelement indicated generallyrat M andcomprising an annular resistance coil t8 surrounded by a suitable casing4S. The casing 49 is secured to the upright member 46 by means or a pairof screws 5l, and the upperportion of the casing is provided withfacurved :shape to conform generally to the shape of the circular orannular* heating elementd. The casing i9 surrounding the `heatingelement it is preferably made of a metal `such as aluminum orcopperwhich; will absorb and conduct heat rapidly. A pair of wires orelectrical conductors 52 are connected to the heating element i3 andextend downwardly from the bottom of `thecasing 49 `to i a conventionalattachment plug (not shown). The wires are .retainedr in positionadjacent the bracketllli by means of an integral clip 53 formed on thebracket de.

The swingable` arm of` the device in this form of `the invention isindicated generally at 5t and comprises a lower length E of exiblematerial such'as springmetal, which is rigidly secured to the bracketed, and an` upper lengthof spring metall, the strips of springmetalbeingwelded or` otherwise secured to a normally curved bimetallic strip5B. 'In this form of the invention,

theblongitudinal :slots in the curvedtbimetallic strip 58 have beenomitted. An object 6I is adjustablysecured by means ofa clip or fastener62 to the upper end ofthe strip 51. `A resilient stop or retainer membert3 is provided at the right-hand side of thearm 5d and is rigidlysecured to the bracket M for engagement with the lower portion of thearm.

The operation of this form of the device is generally similar to theoperation of the rst form of the invention. The arm 56 is shown in Fig.5 in neutral or intermediate position in full lines and in its extremeleft-hand and right-hand positions in broken lines. The curvedbimetallic strip 53 tsaround the curved portion of the casing 49 and isheated thereby as heat `is transmitted from theheating element 48 to thecasing. Upon. heating, the `curved bimetallic element ilexes or opens upwith the result that the arm lid is `swung from its left-hand to itsright-hand position. In the latter position, the bimetallic element 58cools and then retracts whereby to swlngthe arm 5t back toits left-handposition, this action being repeated indenitely. During the oscillatingback and forth movement of the arm the casing t9 and the retainer 53serve to limit the extent of oscillating movement. As in the rst form ofthe invention, the momentum of the object t! ampliiies the extent ofswinging movement which is initiated andV sustained by the bimetallicstrip 53.

Figs. 7, 8 andV 9 illustrate other possible modifications of theconstruction of the oscillatable arm which comprises the principaloperating portion of my device. In Fig. '7 the arm is illustrated at 35`as comprisinga continuous length of bimetallic strip having an integra1curved central portion Gt. In Fig. 8 the arm" is illustrated ascomprising a lower strip s? of spring metal or the like to which issecured by welding or otherwise a length of bimetallic strip S3 having acurved portion 69. In Fig. 9 the reverse situation is illustratedwherein the uppermost portion of the arm vcomprises a strip ofspringmetal 'il 4 secured at its lower end to a length of bimetallicstrip 'l2 having a curved portion 13. It will be understood that theoscillatable arm of my device may be formed in any one of a number ofdifferent ways, of which thedrawings illustrate only a few, as long asthe arm includes or has associated therewith a bimetallic portion.Certain constructions of the swingable arm will have particularYadvantages in some situations dependent upon the weight of the objectto be oscillated, the frequency of movement desired, and various otherfactors. It may be pointed out that the constructionof the arm 2d shownin Figs. 1-4 is particularly advantageouswhere a heavy object is carriedon the arm because none of the load is carried` by the bimetallicelement.

In `lig. l0 I have `shown a modication of my invention whereinthe'reciprocable elongated member is utilized to actuate another movablemechanism such :as an advertising display device. Thus, a heating deviceM, which is substantially the same as the heating means Il? illustratedin Fig. 5, is shown mounted on a base or frame 'i5 in cooperatingrelation adiacent an elongated reciprocable member 'l1 of the typehereinbeiore described. In this'instance the elongated reciprocable armis illustrated as being formed from a single `length of bimetallicmaterial such as shown in Fig. 7. The outer or free end of the arm l1 ispivotally connected to the lower end of a link 'l which is in turnpivotally connected to one end of a rockable lever 19. The

lever 19 is mounted for pivotal or rockable movement about a central pin8l extending into the base 16. The opposite end of the lever 19 isshown, by way of illustration, as being provided with a simulated humanhand 82. Extending upwardly and rigidly from the center portion of thelever 19 is an arm 83 carrying a simulated mans head. It will be readilyunderstood that as the bimetallic arm 11 undergoes reciprocating backand forth movement away from and toward the heater 14, a rockingmovement will thereby be imparted to the lever 19 as a result of theconnecting link 13. The hand 82 will thus undergo back and forthmovement in a vertical plane while the head 84 undergoes simultaneousback and forth movement in a horizontal plane.

In Fig. l1 there is illustrated still another application of the basicprinciple of my invention wherein the combination of a fixed heat sourceand a reciprocable bimetallic means is utilized to impart rotary motionto a Wheel or the like. A resistance-type heating element 35 having asubstantially circular outer contour is mounted on a base 81. A pair ofelongated bimetallic arms 88 are secured at their lower ends to the base81 on opposite sides of the heater 86', each of the arms 88 beingprovided with a curved central portion conforming to the shape of theheater 86. A wheel 89 is mounted for rotating movement at the upper endof the base 81 and is provided With eccentric operating connectionscomprising a pair of pivotal links Si. The links Ell are pivotallyattached at their outer ends to the upper ends of the arms 88 and arepivotally connected at their inner ends to a pin 92 which is rigidlycarried on the wheel 39 in eccentric or spaced relation from the axis ofthe rotation of the wheel. The operation of the device will beimmediately apparent, it being understood that the arms 88 cooperate toimpart back and forth movement to the links Si which in turn coact withthe pin 92 in the general manner of a crank to effect rotation of thewheel 89. It will be further understood that once the wheel 89 is inmotion, the momentum thereof will serve to carry the wheel past the deadcenter positions of the links 9|.

It will be seen that the heat-actuated device of my invention isextremely simple in construction and operation and requires only aminimum amount of skill to assemble and maintain the device in operatingcondition. In addition, the device has the decided advantage that itoperates at relatively low temperatures of the order of Z50-300 F. anddoes not involve making and breaking of electrical contacts.Consequently, no nre hazard is involved and also there is nointerference with radio reception in the vicinity. Furthermore, thedevice is self-starting and will run indefinitely as long as the heatingsource is in operation. The form of the invention illustrated in Figs. lto 4 is particularly advantageous in that no special heating element isrequired and the device may be fitted in almost any position on astandard electric light bulb. Additional advantages of my device residein the fact that it is adapted to be constructed in a variety of sizesand can be utilized in a number of ways either to impart motion to anobject which it is desired to move in an oscillating manner or toactuate other devices in an intermittent fashion. The device is alsorelatively quiet in operation with the result that it makes an ideallow-priced and reliable means of animating advertising displays or thelike.

Although the invention has been described in connection With certainspecific structural embodiments thereof, it will be understood thatvarious modifications and equivalent structures may be employed Withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

Iclaim:

l. A heat-actuated device comprising an elongated fiexible resilientarm, supporting means for holding said arm in a generally uprightposition with the lower end thereof fixed and the upper end free forswinging movement, a relatively weighted object to be reciprocatedsupported adjacent the free end of said arm whereby the center ofgravity of the swingable portion of the device is located adjacent theupper free end of said arm, and heat-responsive means associated withsaid arm along a portion thereof, said heat-responsive means beingadapted to undergo flexing movement in alternate directions upon heatingand cooling thereof whereby to impart back and forth movement to saidarm and the object carried thereon, and the weight of said object incooperation with the iiexible resilient nature of said arm causing saidcenter of gravity to be shifted alternately on opposite sides of avertical plane passing through said fixed end of said arm whereby toimpart to said arm and said object smooth back and forth swingingmovement of greater extent than the movement induced by saidheat-responsive means alone.

2. A heat-actuated device comprising an elongated resilient fiexiblespring arm, supporting means for holding said arm in generally uprightposition with the lower end thereof fixed and the upper end free forback and forth swinging movement, a relatively weighted object to beoscillated carried adjacent the upper end of said arm whereby the centerof gravity of the swingable portion of the device is located adjacentthe upper free end of said arm, and a normally curved bimetallic elementat an intermediate portion of said arm and adapted to undergo flexingmovement in alternate directions upon heating and cooling thereof, saidflexing movement of the curved bimetallic element in cooperation withthe resilient flexibility of said spring arm causing said center ofgravity to be shifted in an alternating manner at opposite sides of avertical plane passing through Said fixed end of said arm whereby toimpart smooth back and forth swinging movement to said arm and theobject carried thereon which is of greater extent than the movementinduced by said bimetallic element alone.

3. The device of claim 2 further characterized in that the position ofsaid object is adjustable longitudinally of said arm whereby to regulatethe frequency of said back and forth swinging movement.

4. A heat-actuated device comprising in combination stationary heatingmeans having a curved external shape, an elongated flexible resilientarm supported in a generally upright position adjacent said heatingmeans with the lower end of said arm fixed and the upper end free forback and forth swinging movement, a relatively Weighted object mountedadjacent the upper free end of said arm wherebyY the center of gravityof the swingable portion of the device is located adjacent the upperfree end of said arm, a normally curved bimetallic element at anintermediate portion of said arm adapted to conform generally to thecurvature of said heating means and adapted to undergo flexing movementin alternate directions upon heating and cooling thereof, saidiiexingmovement of said bimetallic element in cooperation withtheresilient flexibilityof said arm causing saidcenter of gravity tobeshifted alternatelyon opposite sides of a vertical plane passingthrough said xedend of said arm `whereby to cause said arm to move awayfrom and toward said heating means in an oscillating manner toagreaterextent than the movement induced by saidbimetallic elementalone, said curved bimetallic element being engageable with the curvedexterior of said heating means `for limiting the Iextent of movement ofsaid arm in one direction, andstop `means for limiting the extent ofmovement of said arm in the opposite `direction away from said heatingmeans`r 5, Ailieat-actuated device comprising an elongated flexibleresilient arm having a bimetallic strip at an intermediate `portionthereof adapted to undergo iiexingmovement in alternate directions uponheating and cooling thereof, a support for holding said arm` ingenerallyupright position with the lower end thereof fixed to permitbackend forth swinging movement `of the upper end thereof, a relativelyweighted object supported adjacent the upper free end of said armwhereby theI center of gravity of the swingable portion of the device islocated `adjacent the upper end of the arm, and attaching means fordetachably and adjustably mounting the device on the curved surface ofan electriclightbulb,`

said support being carried by said attaching means and being arranged to`position said bimetallic strip adjacent the curved outer surface f thebulb for movement away from and toward the latter, and the weight ofsaid object in cooperation with the flexible resilient nature of saidarm causing said center of gravity to be shifted alternately on oppositesides of aivertical plane passing through said fixed end of said armwhereby to impart to said arm and said object smooth back and forthswinging movement of greater extent `than the movement induced by saidbimetallic strip alone.

6. A. heat-actuated device comprising in combination an electric lightbulb, an elongated flexible resilient arm adjacent said bulband having acurved bimetallic element at an intermediate portion thereof, saidcurved biinetallic element fitting around the curvature of said bulb andbeing adapted to undergo exing movement in alternate directions uponheating and cooling thereof whereby to impart back and forth swingingmovement to the arm, means coacting with the curved surface of said bulb`for supporting said arm generally upright position adjacent said bulband with the lower end of the arm xedtcpermit said swinging movement,and a relatively weighted object supported adjacentthe upper free end ofsaid arm whereby the center of gravity of the swingable portion of thedevice is located adjacent the upper end of said arm; the weight of saidobject in cooperation with the flexible resilient nature of said armcausing said center of gravity to be shifted alternately on oppositesides of a vertical plane passing through the fixed lower end of saidarm whereby to impart to said arm and said object smooth back and forthswinging movement of greater extent than the movement induced by saidbimetallic element alone.

7. .A heat-actuated device comprising circumferential band means adaptedto be detachably secured `around the curved exterior` surface of anfelectric light bulb, a pair of `spaced circumferentially extending beadsat the inner face of said band means and adapted to engage the curvedsurface of the bulb for facilitating adjustment of the positionofthe-device on the bulb, and an elongated flexible arm supported at oneend from said band means for back and forth swinging movement away fromand toward the bulb, said arm having a bimetallic element at anintermediate portion thereof adapted to undergo flexing movement inalternate directions upon heating and cooling thereof whereby to impartsaid swinging movement to said arm.

8. A heat-actuated device comprising in combinationan electric `lightbulb, an elongated flexible armadjacent said bulb and having a curvedbimetalic element at an intermediatev portion thereof, said curvedbimetallic element tting around the curvature `of said bulb and beingadapted to undergo flexing movement in alternate directions upon heatingand cooling thereof whereby to impart back and forth swinging movementtothe arm, and means for supporting said arm in operating positionadjacent said bulb, means comprising circumferential band means adaptedto be detachably and adjustably tted around the curved surface of thebulb, means for tighteningisad band means in place on the bulb, and apair of spaced circumferentially extending beads at the inner face ofsaid band means and adapted to engage said bulb for facilitating`adjustment of the position of the device on said bulb.

9. A heat-actuated device comprising an elongated iiexible resilientarm, supporting means for holding said arm in a generally uprightposition with the lower end thereof fixed and the upper end free forswinging movement, a relatively weighted object supported adjacent thefree end of said arm whereby the center of gravity of the swingableportion of `the device is located adjacent the upper free end of saidarm, heatresponsive means associated with said arm along a portionthereof, said heat-responsive means being adapted to undergo flexingmovement in alternate directions upon heatingand cooling thereof wherebyto impart back and'forth movement to said arm and the object carriedthereon, and the weight of said object in cooperation with ie resilientflexible nature of said arm causing said center of gravity to be shiftedalternately on opposite sides of a vertical plane passing through saidnxed end of said arm whereby to impart to said armand said object smoothback and forth swinging movement of greater extent than the movementinduced by said heat-responsive means alone, and stop means at theopposite sides of said arm for limiting the extent of said swingingmovement.

l0. The device of `claim 2 further characterized in that `saidbimetallic element comprises a bimetallic strip provided with aplurality of openings to permit more rapid heating and cooling thereof.`

ll. The device of claim-2 furthercharacterised .in that said arm has anintegral curved intermediate portion and said bimetallic elementcomprises a separate curved bimetallic strip secured at its end to saidarm and extending along said curved intermediate portion of the arm inslightly spaced relation therefrom.

12.4The device of claim 2 further characterized in that said armcomprises a pair of substantially straight upper and lower `end portionswith a separate normally curved bimetallic strip secured therebetween'as the` intermediate portion of saidtarm.

13. The device of claim 2 further characterized in that said armcomprises a substantially straight spring portion at one end thereof anda bimetallic member having an integral curved portion which is securedto said spring portion and a substantially straight portion at theopposite end of said arm.

14. The device of claim 2 further characterized in that said armcomprises a continuous onepiece strip of bimetallic material havingsubstantially straight end portions and a normally curved intermediateportion.

15. The device of claim 4 further characterized in that said heatingmeans comprises an electrical resistance heating element, a casingsurrounding said element and having a curved external shape, said casingbeing adapted to be heated by said heating element, and said normallycurved bimetallic element is adapted to ftv around the curved casing.

16. The device of claim l further characterized in that said heatresponsive means comprises a separate bimetallic strip secured at itsends to said arm at an intermediate portion of the latter.

17. The device of claim 1 further characterized in that said armcomprises a pair of upper and lower end portions and said heatresponsive means comprises a separate bimetallic strip secured inend-to-end relation between said end portions.

1S. The device of claim 1 further characterized in that said armcomprises a spring portion and a bimetallic strip joined in end-to-endrelation.

19. The device of claim 1 further characterized in that the position ofsaid object is adjustable longitudinally of said arm whereby to regulatethe frequency of said back and forth swinging movement.

20. A heat-actuated device comprising elongated exible resilient armstructure having a lower end portion, an upper end portion, and anintermediate portion, supporting means connected to said lower endportion for holding the arm structure in a generally upright positionwith the lower end thereof fixed and the remainder of the arm structurefree for swinging mo'vement, and a relatively weighted object to bereciprocated supported on said upper end portion whereby the center ofgravity of the swingable portion of the arm structure is locatedadjacent said upper end portion, said intermediate portion of said armstructure including a heatresponsive element connected to said upper andlower end portions and adapted to undergo flexing movement in alternatedirections upon heating and cooling thereof whereby to impart back andforth movement to said arm structure and the object carried thereon,`and the weight of said object in cooperation with the resilientflexible nature of said arm structure causing said center of gravity tobe shifted alternately on opposite sides of a vertical plane passingthrough the fixed end of said arm structure whereby to impart to saidarm structure and said object smooth back and forth swinging movement ofgreater extent than the movement induced by said heat-responsive elementalone.

21. A heat-actuated device comprising in cornbination an electric lightbulb, an elongated flexible resilient arm having a bimetallic element atan intermediate portion thereof adapted tc undergo flexing movement inalternate directions upon heating and cooling thereof whereby to impartback and forth swinging movement to the arm, support means for retainingsaid arm in generally upright position with said bulb at one side of thearm and with the lower end of the arm fixed whereby to permit saidswinging movement away from and toward said bulb, a relatively weightedobject mounted adjacent the upper free end of said arm whereby thecenter of gravity of the swingable portion of the device is locatedadjacent the upper end of the arm, said flexing movement of saidbimetallic element in cooperation with the resilient flexibility of saidarm causing said center of gravity to be shifted alternately on oppositesides of a vertical plane passing through the fixed end of the arm to agreater extent than the swinging movement induced by said bimetallicelement alone, said arm being operatively engageable with the exteriorof said bulb for limiting the extent of movement of said arm in onedirection, and a stop carried by said support means at the opposite sideof said arm for limiting the extent of said swinging movement in theopposite direction.

22. A heat-actuated device comprising in combination stationary heatingmeans, an elongated exible resilient arm supported in a generallyupright position adjacent said heating means with the lower end of saidarm xed and the upper end free for back and forth swinging movement, arelatively weighted object mounted adjacent the upper free end of saidarm whereby the center of gravity of the swingable portion of the deviceis located adjacent the upper free end of said arm, heat-responsivemeans associated with said arm along at least a portion thereof andadapted to undergo flexing movement in alternate directions upon heatingand cooling thereof, said flexing movement of said heatresponsive meansin cooperation with the resilient flexibility of said arm causing saidcenter of gravity to be shifted alternately on opposite sides of avertical plane passing through said fixed end of said arm whereby tocause said arm to move away from and toward said heating means in anoscillating;` manner to a greater extent than the movement induced bysaid heatresponsive means alone, said arm being operatively engageablewith said heating means for limiting the extent of movement of said armin one direction, and stop means for limiting the extent of movement ofsaid arm in the opposite direction away from said heating means.

23. A heat-actuated device comprising in combination stationary heatingmeans, an elongated ilexible resilient arm, supporting means for holdingsaid arm in a generally upright position adjacent said heating meanswith the lower` end of the arm fixed and the upper end free for swingingmovement, a relatively weighted object supported adjacent the free endof said arm whereby the center of gravity of the swingable portion ofthe device is located adjacent the upper free end of said arm, andheat-responsive means associated with said arm along at least a portionthereof, said heat-responsive means being adapted to undergo flexingmovement in alternate directions upon heating and cooling thereofwhereby to impart back and forth movement to said arm and the objectcarried thereon away from and toward said heating means, and the weightof said object in cooperation with the resilient flexible nature of saidarm causing said center of gravity to be shifted alternately on oppositesides of a vertical plane passing through said xed end of said armwhereby to impart to said arm and said object smooth back and foi-thswinging movement of greater extent than the movement induced Hoy saidheat-responsive means alone.

References cited in the me of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number14 Name Date Anderson Mar. 11, 1913 Reeve Jan. 16, 1917 Shoenberg Jan.21, 1919 Sahlin Jan. 18, 1921 Shoenberg May 12, 1931 Gordon Jan. 2, 1940Whitney et al Aug. 14, 1945 Newell Sept. 18, 1945 Higley May 6, 1947Miller Sept. 16, 1947 Muir July 17, 1951

